The news that has been shaking the telemarket for days is official. Amadeus says goodbye to Rai: the king of Sanremo, the golden boy of access prime time, informs general director Giampaolo Rossi that he will not renew the contract with Viale Mazzini, which expires on 31 August. By the end of the week - the final details are being worked on - the signing of the four-year agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery is expected, thus scoring a new coup after the hiring of Fabio Fazio.
"Working at Rai for many years has been a source of pride, responsibility and immense pleasure for me. My heartfelt thanks go to the public service", begins Amadeus in the greeting video on Instagram from the Affari Tuoi dressing room. "It wasn't an easy choice for me also considering the important efforts made by Rai to retain me", says the host, white shirt, blue jacket, his voice slightly cracked by emotion. And he denies the rumors according to which he would have put a program for his wife, Giovanna Civitillo, and the dismissal of former manager Lucio Presta among the conditions for remaining: the rift takes place "without my ever having made any request to favor the my family members or to exclude my past collaborators, despite what has been circulated in the press in recent days. It's not my style." He thanks managers, workers, artists and colleagues who shared his projects. "The programs that I have had the opportunity and joy of creating (including Sanremo) belong to the public, but they represent for me a piece of heart and life. I have given my all. Now it is time for new professional and personal challenges. It is time for new dreams. Thank you all", concludes Amadeus. "See you on TV." Rai notes "with regret" the choice of host.
"But the strong sense of recognition and gratitude remains for the common path, studded with great successes and moments which, like the Sanremo Festival, have entered the history of Rai and the country", as well as "the certainty of having made all possible proposals to Amadeus in economic and editorial terms in full guarantee of maximum artistic freedom". The divorce is sanctioned by a cordial meeting, but the divorce is sensational: Rai loses its leading man, the creator of five Sanremos that went down in history - with a total haul of almost 230 million of advertising and ratings that had never been seen before since the 90s - and at the same time the record holder for access, with Soliti Ignoti and Affari Tuoi, which also yesterday attracted 5.5 million viewers to Rai1, almost 29%. Rai tried to hold back Amadeus with its counter-proposal, but the break was in the air, already from the meeting a week ago with the CEO Roberto Sergio. And today the leaders appreciate the host's effort in stigmatizing "fake news", in particular on the alleged pressure received, especially for the latest Sanremo. At the court of Warner Bros. Discovery, a US giant far from the logic of Viale Mazzini, Amadeus is expected to make a double commitment on Nove: the strategic access segment, which could be Soliti Ignoti (whose contract with the public TV is expiring ) and a prime time musical format, not a talent show but an event show on the Arena Suzuki model. The figures are naturally top secret: we are talking about a salary of 10 million euros over four years, for a total investment which - according to estimates by the Press - would be close to 100 million.
Rai will now have to work on the schedule: for Affari Tuoi the bet is on Stefano De Martino, while for the future of Sanremo Carlo Conti is in pole position. "I lose a great teammate", comments the latter speaking of Ama. "However, I am certain that he made a difficult but well-considered choice." "I'm very very happy", smiles Fabio Fazio. On the political front, the leader of the Dem group in Supervision, Stefano Graziano, makes himself heard: "Low ratings, flop programmes, share below zero, appointments in the name of friendship and a progressive distancing of many artists and journalists from Viale Mazzini. It is the worst Rai management ever." "Rai is increasingly TeleMeloni, and many artists are leaving. Fazio, Annunziata, Gramellini and now Amadeus", accuses the Avs group leader Peppe De Cristofaro. On May 4th and 5th Amadeus will host Una Quale Centomila - In Arena (broadcast on May 8th on Rai1) and will be busy with the recordings of Affari Tuoi until May 10th: on that day he will also be a special guest, together with Jovanotti, of last episode of Viva Rai2!, for a finale with a bang.
Carlo Conti: 'With Amadeus I lose a great teammate'
With Amadeus' farewell from Rai ''I lose a great teammate'', Carlo Conti, the historic public TV presenter who is among the candidates for the direction of the next Sanremo Festival, told ANSA. ''However, I am certain that he made a difficult choice - he adds - but a well thought out one''.
Fabio Fazio: 'I'm very, very happy for Amadeus'
''I am very very happy''. This is how Fabio Fazio comments to ANSA on Amadeus' farewell to Rai and his arrival at Nove.